A long time ago, a man named Quon sought refuge from his all-powerful king under the guise of a religious mission. Well, not really guise at that, but he was not entirely truthful of which religion he planned to grow. The truth was, Quon had discovered a powerful entity of his own, one who claimed to be the creator himself. Quon was filled with the will to incubate this god in a remote village. He was accompanied by other missions as well, ones who were much more loyal to Lord Hrukain. Slowly, Quon’s god picked them off and ate them.

Quon finally discovered a small village near the mountains. Quon turned to his navigators, who had by now been completely converted in the absence of the other missionaries, and asked them to find a safe path up the mountain, and they obliged.

Quon made his settlement, but the villagers did not fall so easily… They saw Quon as yet another threat, and resisted. Eventually, they fell to his influence, and followed him to the seclusion of the mountains, where they remained in solitude for many years, until Quon died.

Quon had yet to bring his insane plans to fruition, but the god refused to die with his weak mortal champion.

After the god left, the village was suddenly and hopelessly defenseless. And it remained that way for nearly ten years, until a woman emerged from her imprisonment. A woman named Alexandra Leoy’Shaah, who had been thrown in and left to rot many moons before, even before her time locked away, she had survived impossible feats of mortality, leaving a permanent intrigue that rippled through the village until she returned.

And when she returned, she found many things had changed, most for the worst. But when one door closes, another opens, and Leoy’Shaah would find the events witnessed, not just by the villagers, but by their children, had created a following, one believing her to have a god-link.

These people would eventually become a formidable weapon, sharpened by the woman who would lead them to ascendance: Alexandra Leoy’Shaah.

— The Recordians

Kaqu’s afternoon was relatively pleasant. He had conversed with a few merchants still loyal to the mountains, or at least, the ones he still trusted.

The Captain-chief had taken a stroll through the courtyard, and through the many halls. The compound had several ends that stuck out like bricks that had slipped from their holes, jutting out of the mountainside further. Kaqu knew what these bricks were. They were made from stolen designs. One, that he would find out later that day, had been taken from a storeroom dedicated to his father. They were unfinished, as they lacked the means necessary to complete it. In the end, from the plateau, It would look like a rotting log, with its many rounded, cube-like corridors, seemingly in permanent hiatus. Kaqu would often walk down these corridors by mistake and find himself at the tail end of a hall. Sometimes, there would not even be a dead end, but a large hole that led to a far fall to doom. Kaqu would be enraged when he came across these in particular, racing to find the person responsible, to which he would turn up no answers. Now, he had just gone into his room, when a messenger came to inform him of a shocking discovery.

Kaqu gritted his teeth at the news borne to him: Leoy’Shaah was alive.

It had initially nearly made his heart stop and condemned him to the same fate as his father, but that did not happen to Kaqu, because he realised that this was a new world, not his father’s world, where there was solitude, peace, and total, utter control. Those times were long gone.

“Send scouts to watch them,” Kaqu choked.

The messenger left without a word, and as soon as he disappeared from Kaqu’s sight, he exited his room to his father’s study.

How…? How had she survived it all? He thought as he moved hastily down the halls. Either she’s a witch… Or the legends were true and she’s linked to a god somehow!

If it were the latter… Kaqu knew she would be much more dangerous.

Kaqu stumbled into the study. Truthfully, Quon had died long before the compound had been constructed, but Kaqu had named the room after his father for what it contained was of Quon’s work and study. Dozens of notebooks and even more loose papers lined every inch of room. Kaqu rifled through them as quickly as he could without damaging them. He came across the sacred texts, which were of Hrukainian origin, and spoke of an ancient god that created the universe. Kaqu scoffed upon seeing the scrolls now. Many parts had been erased, torn out, and changed to shift his subjects towards his god. All effort had been futile in the end. Kaqu crushed what remained of the papers in seemingly secondhand frustration, and threw the ball to the floor. He continued his search for the notebook, which contained countless entries on abilities and entities that came after the black sky appeared.

Finally, he fished out a worn journal, its pages nearly falling out, its threads nearly falling loose, and seeming to be many decades old, and opened it.

The front page had been signed by his father himself, but Kaqu ignored it in his search for answers. He stopped abruptly as a page titled: Witches of the West and East, Students of the ambient energy 2/25/0075.

Kaqu frowned for a moment upon seeing the date, but he quickly understood that the date was the time since the black sky had opened, and strange events began happening.

On the first two pages were crude drawings of two women, both nearly identical, except one version was clothed in strange garments and the other was fully naked. A line was drawn at the bottom, listing off strange apparatus.

The common witch performs craft with her hands but there have been many reports of witches in possession of strange tools to aid or increase the effectiveness of her magic(k).

Kaqu grunted. He was more divided than before. Leoy’Shaah was a woman, and she was definitely in possession of some of the most defining traits of a witch-to-be, she was disturbing, alienated, and seemingly full of anger directed at the village. But was she a witch?

Kaqu, more hungry for answers, flipped to the next page.

He was immediately greeted with a disturbing drawing: A man with yellow teeth and a sick pale face grinning at him. His face was shaded and unrecognizable as human. Kaqu felt his heart leap up to his throat. He was not disturbed by terror invoked by the face itself, but because he recognized the face as something that he had seen before.

This man… when I was giving that speech–

The door opened, and two soldiers walked in, their armor clanking as they went. Kaqu closed the book quickly and slipped it into his robe. The soldiers approached him, cornering him.

What the blasted hell are you doing here? Make yourself known before I have you both hanged!” The men looked at each other and laughed. Kaqu was chilled to the bone upon the realization: These men were his own.

“We have been sent here to retrieve valuable archives…” One of the guards trailed off, eyeing the stacks of notes and tones, “In the name of Governor Kazezne, you are to give up this storage of information to Kwnuollia and her King by the next sunrise.

“I have not heard of this order.” Kaqu shot back, “I openly challenge Kazezne to a case.”

The soldiers didn’t flinch at the request, instead, they simply turned and left. Leaving Kaqu wondering if they would deliver his message or not. He decided he would go to bring his grievances to Kazezne himself later, but for now…

Kaqu fished the notebook out, flipping to the page which the drawing of the disturbing man was. He stared at it for a few brief moments, familiarizing himself with the face and getting over the way it unnerved him, then he slammed it shut.

Kwunollia's god was strong. And as far as Kaqu was concerned, their own was not watching over them.

This Leoy’Shaah, if the legends about her were true… She could be the thing that either he could use against the Kwnuollians… Or the thing they would use against him.

Kaqu strode out of the study, taking whatever he found most interesting to keep from the governor, and locking the door behind him. He was still the captain of the Mountain Guard and could fight Kwunolllians, but with what magic?

He paced down another corridor until he ran into a servant, a woman named Jellan. Albeit, she had been provided by the Kwunollians as a gift, he trusted her almost ironically compared to his own subjects.

For a few years, he had wanted to abuse her for everything her people were doing to his village. He would often fantasize about beating her into a crying bleeding pulp, and one night, he had been affronted in the presence of his subjects by riders who had requested a meeting be had with him. And in the meeting, he had been revoked entirely of the gate sector, and the construction division, which he had used to rebuild parts of the town as well as expand. The materials, both Kwunollian and Mountain Villages.

“Our timber and stone reaped by our regal hands shalt not rest next to a mere chieftain's stone. Our materials have been tainted, and our God-vessel demands the taint be removed by transferring all material under full Kwunollian management. If you do not, I am afraid, our god requires all stone be smashed and paved, and all timber be burnt to ash to remove the scent of the unbelievers.” The covenant member had narrowed his eyes at Kaqu in such a disrespectfully accusatory manner, that Kaqu had to dispel a sudden murderous urge to crush the man’s skull in his hilt-calloused hands. After the meeting, when he had returned to his compound through the mountain tunnel, he decided to take out his rage on Jellan. Taking his father’s axe, he marched to her room with avidity in stealth, and stood by her quarters, peering in. Kaqu was shocked to see she was sitting on the floor, sewing a torn blanket that had belonged to him. He suddenly felt the rage and bitterness eviscerate from his body and returned to his room once more, only to wake up in the morning with the fixed blanket folded beside him.

He hadn’t felt any ill will against her since. But he knew not to get too close, for if she was a spy, confessing information to her would be the biggest blunder of all his life. He had thought of testing her as a spy. But even asking her to slit her own throat would prove nothing. A spy would rather die than reveal their true nature. He would keep her close, he decided, but he would keep his axe closer.

“Send scouts to the local villages and tribes to recruit potential users of witchcraft, I want all of them sent to me at once!”

Jellan looked distressed at the command, but seemed to oblige, nodding in response. She headed off down the hall, disappearing around a corner, meanwhile Kaqu retreated the other direction, with only one thing in mind. He was going to see Leoy’Shaah for himself.

Going out in secret was a process that had to be familiar to every small ruler. He donned a cloak, one that was slightly different in design every time he went out, as did his guards… At least, the ones he still trusted.

He then exited with them through one of the many passages carved out of the mountain, making his appearance as unassuming as possible. Kaqu strolled by some Kwunollian riders who paid him, nor any of his guards any mind. It would have not mattered if they did. Kaqu watched them with a bit of envy. They rode horses, something that none of the guards ever needed to do, for the plateaus land. Although flat and appearing ideal for cavalry, the land was small for a horse and for the longest time Kaqu had not seen any need for horse riders, but it grew miserably obvious that soldiers on horseback were a formidable enemy, one the mountain village did not possess.

Kaqu swallowed this shame along with a thick glob of mucus formed from the chilly weather this particular day. Eventually, he found himself at the gate of Yewnie’s compound.

He paused before ringing the bell of the fence. He had not visited Yewnie in person for a few months. It was said that she was very busy maintaining the village traditions, and attempting to recover any signs of deities around that could be adopted in hopes of strengthening the town. Kaqu and Yewnie had been the ones left to pick up the pieces of a broken belief – and to rescue all the people whos faith abandoned them. It had been Yewnie who had restored the sacred texts to that of what they used to be.

Kaqu rang the bell, trying to hide whatever frustration he felt about Yewnie. There was no chance he would doubt himself in front of Yewnie, even if he did inwardly. There was a small chance that Yewnies old age had dulled her mind in the same ways that had befell the late chief Quon, but it was far more likely that Yewnie had not been telling him everything, and today he was going to find out one way or another.

A man appeared at the window, Lencan. He was outfitted head to toe in lightweight metal armor, and his face was that of mixed confusion and surprise. He moved away from the window, and the door clicked open five seconds later.

“Captain Kaqu, what brings you here ser?”

“Step aside Lieutenant! Speak no more, I order you to retrieve Leoy’Shaah at once!”

“Ser?”

“Don’t play me for a fool, Lieutenant! Retrieve the girl at once!”

Lencan obliged quickly, although Kaqu could still see the hesitation in his eyes. He silently envied the amount of Loyalty Yewnie’s men had to her. She had only lost but one of hers in the past five years, and she had been a mere assistant at that. Meanwhile, Kaqu saw his soldiers around him donning the emblem of Kwunollia. It burned him with bitter rage, he could now see exactly how much the Kwunollians had undermined him. He could bet a thousand slaves that it had been Marak’s decision or involvement that had led to his own people brandishing the Kwunollian flags. Kwunollians had bought out merchants, travelers, and healers. They held the town in the palm of their hand – all this and Kaqu had no plan of action… Yet. There was a storm in his mind of how to take down these insufferable invaders. But perhaps….

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Kaqu gritted his teeth. Lencan had not returned. He would take matters into his own hands then.

Kaqu stormed through the center room and down the hall to where Lencan had gone, but a woman popped out and stopped him, a woman he recognized as Yewnie.

“Stop.” She commanded, looking diligent. “What are you here for Kaqu?”

“You never told me about the witch!” Kaqu spat, “So I came here to see for myself!”

He attempted to sidestep Yewnie, but she did as well, and spread her arms out too, blocking him.

“Move out of my way!”

“Or what? You’d lock me up like you did that poor girl?”

Kaqu suddenly felt a tinge of wrongness. Why did he still hold a grudge against this girl? She did nothing to provoke anything of the punishment she had been sentenced to, besides disrespecting Quon… Who had in the end, doomed the village anyways.

“What do you plan to do?” Yewnie asked, “Are you going to jail her, try and kill her?”

Kaqu felt immense guilt now, multiplied by Yewnies remarks on the reality that had slowly begun setting into Kaqu. Nevertheless, he kept a keen, spiteful look on his face. He would not show this woman just how right she was.

“She is cursed,” reasoned Kaqu, “The day that she was sentenced to death was the day I lost everything, Yewnie.”

Yewnie sighed. “I understand… I really have no clue as to how such an atrocity had gone unnoticed."

Kaqu leaned forward, I accepted their fate, and if there is a god out there who may take their souls, I prayed to him. I will not, however, stand by and allow Leoy’Shaah to sabotage everything. Whatever happened that night might have been only a coincidence, what she is doing to this village right now is of her own volition and all her actions either.” He paused. “Don’t you realize that Leoy’Shaah is the reason Marak has been so invasive in his presence? He has been so diligent that he noticed her before even I!” He growled, “What about that you do not understand. I am not my father’s son, I am trying to save this town before Marak destroys everything we’ve built! These people do not even know what the Governor has planned for them! Once a firm hold is established, the poor will become slaves and the rich puppets!”

“No! You're blind to another option, Kaqu!” Yewnie snapped, “Her powers render her immortal, Kaqu! Do you understand that in none of the journals Quon has written, has it said any god or deity was capable of giving a mere human immortality!? We need another deity to watch over us, and Leoy’Shaah has what we need to prevent Marak from finishing off this village.”

“Have you ever asked her what we’ve taken from her?” Yewnie said, voice cracking. “You were just a boy then, but we once killed an elderly priest named Wanu, one who I knew to be sweet and kind to everyone she knew. She had even been the one to accompany Quon here to help him build this town, but I ordered her death in the name of Quon. For merely touching the sacred scrolls. Only now did I realize what she was trying to do. She was trying to show us the truth, all the scrolls – even the ones Quon did not want us to see. The scrolls spoke of one of the oldest gods, one that wore no face, and ruled all. But he’s been long forgotten.” Yewnie shook her head. “I have no doubt you’ve looked at these scrolls too. They cure us of all the poison swallowed in the years before.”

Kaqu relaxed. “Let me speak wil her.

“Look at me! Yewnie cried, She hates me more than you! Please do not treat her as your father did!”

“I will do as I please,” Kaqu replied, shakily, “Now move.”

Yewnie shuffled out of the way, surprising Kaqu, but he overcame it quickly and proceeded ahead.

“She is different now. She will respond if you talk.” Yewnie. Kaqu said nothing and pushed through the door at the end of the hallway.

His heart nearly stopped for the third time that week when he saw Leoy’Shaah. She had not aged a day, and looked regal – almost holy in the light shed through the window. Kaqu felt sudden inferiority upon looking at her. Leoy’Shaah’s eyes shone with… Disgust? Not fear, hate, or any of the other emotion he thought she would had to have held against him, but she simply seemed repulsed by hsi very presence. She was clothed in a strange cloak, one made from a rough, yet soft looking fiber that shone the same color as her hair… Was it a trick of the light, or was her hair seeming to be dark crimson? Kaqu stumbled into the room fully. Daring to steal another look at Leoy’Shaah, she turned her body to the side, so the rays bathed her right side and creases of her shoulders. Her head remained fixed on his person, swiveling to counter her body’s orientation to the window. She glared at him like an owl, her eyes shone with a fierce emblem of the grudge that faded over time.

She didn’t say anything to him, or move any more than she had mere moments ago, only giving slow, hesitant blinks, the trait of a cat who is daring to trust. Sheathed claws ready and sharp to strike at any moment. Yewnie was right, this was not the Leoy’Shaah that Kaqu had punished a decade of moons ago, no. She had been a mere child in the body of a grown woman, an embarrassment to herself, regardless of her feats. Now, she had mentally matured in her time imprisoned.

Kaqu straightened his back and reminded himself who he was.

“Leoy’Shaah…” He said, looking her in the eyes.

“We will meet again.” Her voice low and ready to pounce on any subject presented.

The veins on Kaqu’s head bulged as he was reminded of the moment Leoy’Shaah had said these exact words, and they still rang in his head.

“What is your business here?” Kaqu asked. “What sort of powers do you possess that reder you all but unkillable?”

“I have been inspected by a shaman. He claims I derive my power from an unseen, powerful force. I am a prophet, a leader. I am destined to lead this village out of its rut, and to the mountain peaks where it belongs.”

“Do you understand who you talk to?” Kaqu replied.

“I do. I am talking to the captain of the guard.”

“I am both the captain of the guard and the current lord of this town. You shall not cross me again Leoy’Shaah. Whatever you think you are capable of, I might remind you I can easily put you down as I did ten years ago.”

“Easily.” Leoy’Shaah echoed. “Like it took that whole unit to imprison me. Here I stand. I am greater than I was before.”

“I don’t care. You have nothing besides your invunerablility. You cannot curse me, you cannot summon or call upon demons. You cannot evoke spirits. You cannot do any of these things. I have heard of humans who have no god on their side achieve the impossible. They are well feared and the strongest of them rule.” He gritted his teeth. I know what you are trying to do, and it will not work. You will lose to these adversaries, Leoy’Shaah. That is why I must remove you first, before they see our weakness.”

Kaqu began to approach, resting his hand on his hammer. If a blade could not cut her, he could surely concuss her.

Suddenly, a figure ran into the room, sliding into his path.

Kaqu immediately swung his hammer at this opponent. His rough hair and short beard became apparent as he came into the sunlight, he wore simple peasant clothes, outfitted with armor.

Kaqu cursed and his hammer bounced off the man’s armor. The man responded by raising his axe, which came into view only a few seconds before Kaqu caught wind of the weapon. Suprised, he leapt back, leveling his small hammer at the ax wielder.

The housecarl wore no helmet, suggesting he was not expecting to fight. “You stayed! Why?” He hissed, not to Kaqu, but to Leoy’Shaah, “Yewnie told you to leave!”

“You dare swing a weapon at me?!” Croaked Kaqu, “I could have your head put on a pike for merely holding a weapon in my direction, put that down and let me to Leoy’Shaah!”

The housecarl still did not budge, and Kaqu knew that he would lose a fight with no adequate arms, he would have to hope his voice would be enough. Hope! Hope is all I have now? Pathetic. My father might have condemned us to solitude and cowardice! And of course the hunter may kill the bear who sleeps peacefully, but he held that grip tight, and now we’ve crushed that delicious fruit we’ve held for so long!

“Hayden… Stand down.” Leoy’Shaah said, “He cannot kill me, and he cannot apprehend me. He is no threat as he is.”

“No threat?” Kaqu laughed. “You've truly lost your mind down there haven’t you? So what if you’ve been protected all the time? Do you not understand that gods can simply eat you? Do you not realize that if you take a step too far, Marak and that blasted governor will end you?!”

Leoy’Shaah turned to Hayden. “Leave us.”

“You’re pretty damn lucky that I’m not that boy Wylent. He would have worked his blade before his mouth, please be careful Alexandra.” Then, Hayden left.

Kaqu marched towards Leoy’Shaah until he was only a few feet away from her, then the door opened and Yewnie stepped through, glaring at Kaqu. “Hayden told me what you were going to do. I am here to prevent that. It is time you must set down your swords and think.”

“When I saw you that day… I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. That perhaps you were a witch… But if you are an incarnate…” He trailed off. “Perhaps Yewnie was right about you.”

“I have thought of many things locked up down below… One of those things was you, Kaqu. You are not my enemy, nor do I have any reason to hate… Not even when you killed Zayno, for he came back to me.”

Kaqu frowned. “Who is this Zayno? I have never met a man named Zayno, nor have I ever put him to death.”

“I do not know him either. Leoy’Shaah, please tell me who Zayno is. My old age is failing me yet! Please, Leoy’Shaah, forgive me and remind me of the souls that have passed.”

Leoy’Shaah felt a burst of confusion and rage, which luckily, she put into words.

“How do you not remember–” Suddenly, she went silent.

“Do you remember when I came up from going out with the hunters?”

Kaqu, seeming calmer now that the hammer was on the floor and not in his clutches, sighed. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. You snuck out with the hunters to watch them, but then they were attacked by the Unbon, and you were the only survivor. That was the day I lost my brother.” Yewnie nodded. “I remember that as well.”

Leoy’Shaah shivered. How did neither of them remember putting down Zayno? Throwing him off the cliff? Impossible. Unless…

“I suppose I owe you an explanation as to how I gained my powers.” Leoy’Shaah said. Yewnie nodded to her.

Kaqu suddenly seemed to snap out of his calmed state. “I don’t want to hear any of your deranged tales! I do not care as to how you got them!”

“Let her speak!” Yewnie said, can you not see how she’s grown? “She is not a child to be berated any longer. If there is truly a god linked to her, the most you can do is respect him.”

“Zayno is the God who gave me my immortality.”

Kaqu seemed stunned. “I-I’ve never heard of this Zayno.”

“That is because I think he did not exist.” Leoy’Shaah said.

Yewnie blinked. “What could that mean?”

“I think he… Erased himself from our history.”

Kaqu laughed, “That is absurd, Leoy’Shaah.”

If he is that strong… Why did he give me…

Kaqu slowly began to fade in confidence, until he had a desperate look on his face.

“This god you speak of… Did he wear a hood and cloak? What did his face look like?”

Leoy’Shaah frowned at the specificity of the question, but retained the vagueness of her answer. “No, he was a normal human like all of us.” Yewnie looked concerned. “We can figure out everything about you later when you get your followers organized.” Kaqu looked horrified. “Followers!? How many?”

“Around two dozen or so, sir.” Lencan had entered the room. “Leave us, Lencan! Why are you not at your post!?” Yewnie exclaimed. “With all due respect Ma’am, when three of the most significant members of this chiefdom are in one room, all presumably armed, I insist upon interfering as much as needed, lest I see you all go mad and cut each other down.” Lencan tapped the spear that he held onto the ground. Kaqu turned and glared daggers at Lencan, who did not seem all that intimidated, even if said daggers be projected through the lens of the captain of the guard himself. Yewnie tooka short breath, “I appreciate your concern, Lencan, but your fear is misplaced. We fight with your tongues and not our hands. Please return to whence you came.” Lencan turned to Leoy’Shaah and nudged his head at her. “Miss Alexandra?” Kaqu and Yewnie looked quite shocked and turned to the poor Leoy’Shaah, who suddenly felt the burden of authority, not just that, but a snappy respect for a growing commanding presence. It was perhaps just getting into Leoy’Shaah just how elite she became, simply out of pure intrigue and desperation, nonetheless she withstood the loyalties divided between both Yewnie and Kaqu.

“No blood shall be shed today, Lencan. Ease your worries. May you never waver.”

For seemingly the first time, Leoy’Shaah saw Lencan’s eyes light up. “Yes Ma’am.” He retreated quickly back into the hallway.

Kaqu grinded his teeth in anger. What sort of social training did Yewnie give her? Soldiers at her beck and call… Imagine it! But would it really be as horrid as I wish it? How soft-spoken, yet so influencing. Bah! Imagine if Marak caught wind, it would be hellish!

Meanwhile, Leoy’Shaah quivered with anxiety. The words ran smooth like a well-oiled wheel; they just came to her and she spoke them.

I am afraid that Kaqu is very truthful in his fears.” Yewnie said, “The threat that the Kwunollian konkwurers poses a valid threat to us.

“You don't even understand what they can do. Kaqu said, spitefully, to Leoy’Shaah. “He is like a wolf! He is kept only on a leash by Kazezene! Yewnie, do you not recall my many meetings with Kazezne? Kazezne would much prefer to keep me as a leader, I do say! He even told me that if I were to remain compliant, he would keep that Marak at bay. And that Marak himself, you do not understand the feast in his eyes, his crave for conflict and glory. I suspect he may possess some sort of power he has yet to unveil!”

“You are a coward, as was your father. He came here to hide from an enemy, not caring how many he endangered for his own selfish visions of power. How do you think a god ate him up like a snack and left!”

Enraged, Kaqu exploded at Yewnie. “What did you tell her about my father? Why must you taint his name further? Let him rest in peace and be forgotten! Why must you remind me each and every day, who’s lineage I carry!? My father had no love for anyone! Is that what you want to hear? Well, we’ve all known that by now! And Marak will come and finish the job when that gate in his pen comes off its hinges! You gain nothing by cursing him!”

“She told me nothing!” Leoy’Shaah snapped, her voice melting into blackness. “Your father had many men where I was left; Eleren, who told me all about your father and his binding to his wicked god! Tell me now, Kaqu! Tell me, is what he said true?

Kaqu had a ghostly look on his face, as if all his vigor had been drained. “My father never told me anything. I found out all on my own over the past ten years… When a man is buried, sometimes his secrets will sprout up from his soil…

Leoy’Shaah’s inquisitive wrath fled her, and she saw Kaqu as he was, not selfish, loathsome, or wrathful. He had held a grudge, sure. But it had eviscerated quicker than a ray lit a room. He was a coward. Nothing else but a coward.

"You complain about Marak’s poison seeping unto your people’s blood, but look at you! Look at them! Governor Kazezne knows not the land like we do. His soldiers are mainly ours as well… He is spread thin like butter that you cannot taste! You are indeed a coward, Kaqu. You are not a rogue like your father, but you do have his mind and his presence. Please bring that of yours to our side, and let us make a plan.” Yewnie’s voice went from berative, to calming and coaxing.

Kaqu frowned. “You forget the Unbon. They are the main leverage of the Kwnollians. Trapped between our mountains and the growing Kwunollians, they move into ours; Murdering, pillaging and reaping as they please. Kwunollians use them as a blade to our neck, Leoy’Shaah. You have no concept of leadership, command, discipline! If you think you are special, you are not any more special than the warlocks who seek power like my father did! You treat people softly, and you will watch them become comfortable and docile. Look at how you talked to Lencan; he'll probably imagine sleeping with you any day now! You have no wisdom either!”

“Better than a coward for sure!” barked Leoy’Shaah, “And I will learn to fight and manage my people as well.”

Kaqu gritted his teeth. “I realize now that I cannot convince you to stop this god inside you from having what he wants. I will leave now, but if I am to catch you recruiting and preaching in the middle of day, I shall banish you! Do you understand that?”

Leoy’Shaah nodded. “When I become skilled enough, I will no doubt cross blades with you, Kaqu.”

Kaqu shook with anger and frustration, “I hope the both of us live to see that day, Leoy’Shaah!"

“You should worry more about yourself, Captain– or should I say, Chief Kaqu?”

Kaqu said not another word as he left the compound, riding away in self-pity. Now he saw the despair that had eased its way into the village; even the merchants who once bathed in luxury, were treated as terribly as the peasants they once looked down upon. And when Kaqu went to sleep, he dreamed that he had died along with the rest of his family at home. He wished his father had told him that he loved him, even if he didn't. Most of all, however, he hoped the Leoy’Shaah would be right all along, and that by some miracle, she would be able to defend the village. Because if she didn't, he knew a fate would befall these people - worse than death even - a life of servitude in a crumbling society, built upon lies to begin with. Lies that could no longer bear their own weight.

But Leoy'Shaah was this nasty whip; one that lashed all who denied the reality that, they were all cattle to be grown, then eaten when they came of age, when in face they still had horns to impale, and mighty muscles, that if given a hearty meal, could withstand the forces that would dissolve them in just a matter of time. That manly, assertive attitude, not to be mistaken for the blubbering spiteful mess that was before him ten years prior; That was her deity, growing and becoming more defined in feature. Come to think of it, Kaqu realized that what she had in her was the basic components of a diligent leader. She would have much to learn. And he saw it in her eyes she would pursue it yet!

What Kaqu did not worry about, was whether or not that leader would be benevolent, or tyrannical. It hardly mattered to him anyways. But he never thought about what would happen if Marak's severed head laid in Leoy'Shaah's lap, Its eyes still wide with harbinger fear, and Leoy'Shaah looking down with dissatisfaction.